The Astros plan to designate Ryan Rowland-Smith for assignment Thursday, the team announced. The Astros signed Rowland-Smith to a deal that could have been worth $725K last December, but he didn't crack the team's Opening Day roster.
The 28-year-old Australia native posted a 6.75 ERA with 4.0 K/9, 3.6 BB/9 and a 37.1% ground ball rate last year before the Mariners non-tendered him. He missed time with a triceps injury in 2009 and a lower back strain in 2010.
The Astros' rotation is set with Brett Myers, Wandy Rodriguez, Bud Norris, J.A. Happ and Nelson Figueroa. The Astros will have ten days to outright Rowland-Smith to the minor leagues, trade him, or release him, assuming they go ahead with the DFA tomorrow. If outrighted, Rowland-Smith has the right to elect free agency.
Come on back to Seattle hyphen
He isnt that far removed from being a decent option…I can’t imagine he makes it thru waivers unscathed, even this late in the game
Maybe they should make a cellphone commercial where Rowland-Smith reads of his upcoming assignment via a Tweet from Footer.
In fact, maybe that’s how it happened.
The M’s need more lefty’s out of the pen. And they definitely need rotation depth. I think Rowland-Smith should come back to Seattle as the long relief lefty. Wilhemsen has had a nice spring and his is a feel good story, but he should really be pitching at no higher than AA in 2011.
“Astros Slash Hyphen, Dash Hyphen’s Hopes”
Damn Ryan…that’s my guy…Ryan’s a real good guy, hope he lands on his feet.